Lunch Report Monday Aug 12, 2013
Mon Aug 12, 2013 12:30 pm
Hello,
I am going to be embarrassed if I overlooked one of these already open today.
Lunch is a bacon/egg taco.
G&L question: You guys that buy, trade and sell G&Ls, do you have an idea how many trades or sales go to G&L fan/collector types or just one shot people interested in your guitar for sale that moment? I am wondering if the apprehension I read about modifying a G&L is just coming from the collector types and not the general musician who might buy a G&L. (I am referring to the idea that stock G&Ls are preferred).
Non-G&L question: Do you care what people think of your guitar(s) when you play whether in private or in public?
Sorry for the lame questions. This was spontaneous and I already regret jumping in but there were a few days when no one did this so here I am.
I am going to be embarrassed if I overlooked one of these already open today.
Lunch is a bacon/egg taco.
G&L question: You guys that buy, trade and sell G&Ls, do you have an idea how many trades or sales go to G&L fan/collector types or just one shot people interested in your guitar for sale that moment? I am wondering if the apprehension I read about modifying a G&L is just coming from the collector types and not the general musician who might buy a G&L. (I am referring to the idea that stock G&Ls are preferred).
Non-G&L question: Do you care what people think of your guitar(s) when you play whether in private or in public?
Sorry for the lame questions. This was spontaneous and I already regret jumping in but there were a few days when no one did this so here I am.
Re: Lunch Report Monday Aug 12, 2013
Mon Aug 12, 2013 2:00 pm
Salmon, glad you jumped in today! I had a ham sandwich for lunch and we spent the day with our youngest granddaughter.
Good G&L question. I have always traded my G&Ls and have never sold direct to someone other than people I knew. They knew the guitar I was selling was a good guitar. The dealer that I use also has always been able to move my guitars and has always treated me very well. As for modding G&Ls, I have no concerns about modifying any newer G&L as long as it is done well. I would be concerned about modding an 80's G&L as they are harder to find and can increase in value if they are in good condition. The key in my opinion is condition. A pristine 80's G&L is worth a lot more than a rustic well worn guitar. I have been lucky gigging as I have not damaged any of my guitars. I like them as new and they will always hold their value if they are kept as such. That doesn't mean that you should play them but take care of them. Some people don't care and that is fine. They just use it as a tool and don't worry about it. I think that a lot of us older fellows look at the materialistic value more than younger folks. Most of us grew up with not much and really appreciated the things that we got throughout life. We all have our reasons and that is what life is about. My mother cosigned for a loan for my first Gibson at 19. I never forgot that. I do consider my guitars assets and for me, a lot better than spending the money in a casino. I also know that my family will appreciate some of them at some point. I will not be buried with my favorite guitar!!!!!
Do I care what people think of my guitars? Nope, they are for entertainment and personal enjoyment and I enjoy every one of them!-- Darwin
Good G&L question. I have always traded my G&Ls and have never sold direct to someone other than people I knew. They knew the guitar I was selling was a good guitar. The dealer that I use also has always been able to move my guitars and has always treated me very well. As for modding G&Ls, I have no concerns about modifying any newer G&L as long as it is done well. I would be concerned about modding an 80's G&L as they are harder to find and can increase in value if they are in good condition. The key in my opinion is condition. A pristine 80's G&L is worth a lot more than a rustic well worn guitar. I have been lucky gigging as I have not damaged any of my guitars. I like them as new and they will always hold their value if they are kept as such. That doesn't mean that you should play them but take care of them. Some people don't care and that is fine. They just use it as a tool and don't worry about it. I think that a lot of us older fellows look at the materialistic value more than younger folks. Most of us grew up with not much and really appreciated the things that we got throughout life. We all have our reasons and that is what life is about. My mother cosigned for a loan for my first Gibson at 19. I never forgot that. I do consider my guitars assets and for me, a lot better than spending the money in a casino. I also know that my family will appreciate some of them at some point. I will not be buried with my favorite guitar!!!!!
Do I care what people think of my guitars? Nope, they are for entertainment and personal enjoyment and I enjoy every one of them!-- Darwin
Re: Lunch Report Monday Aug 12, 2013
Mon Aug 12, 2013 10:23 pm
Hi Salmon
I'm on standby for a bunch of documents to be courired and treading water at the moment so I have a few spare minutes.
Do you have an idea how many trades or sales go to G&L fan/collector types or just one shot people interested in your guitar Tough one for me to answer as I haven’t sold a G&L and there’s so little trade in them in my part of the globe that I don’t have a basis for an informed assessment as to motivation.
I think with any brand there is always a degree of reluctance to modify an instrument that has value in its current form and/or the potential to be collectable, and there’s more willingness to do so with general production line models. Without implying that G&L is focussed on collectability (although the recent proliferation of “limiteds” could easily be read as a shift in focus), it is often the case with smaller producers that a larger proportion of their output has an inate value in its original form and potential for collectability in comparison with the larger producers where the vast majority of their output doesn’t have that same potential.
And of course with the older G&L’s there’s also the Leo factor, which comes into play with both collectors and players. Its one thing to mod BBE … another thing entirely when it comes to tinkering with one of Leo’s creations.
I have no problems with moding guitars but I have never actually moded one I’ve bought, simply because I buy them if they work for me and don’t if they don’t. I can see though that I would be would be far more willing to mod a new guitar than I would one which someone has taken great care to maintain for 25+ years in its in original and mint condition. In that case I’d more than likely look for another that was less pristine to mod.
Do you care what people think of your guitar(s) when you play. For the most part no but, having said that, for some gigs I do extend the notion of “fit for purpose” to include appearance. I certainly wouldn’t use one of my well worn, naturally reliced guitars when playing a corporate event.
Cheers, Robbie
I'm on standby for a bunch of documents to be courired and treading water at the moment so I have a few spare minutes.
Do you have an idea how many trades or sales go to G&L fan/collector types or just one shot people interested in your guitar Tough one for me to answer as I haven’t sold a G&L and there’s so little trade in them in my part of the globe that I don’t have a basis for an informed assessment as to motivation.
I think with any brand there is always a degree of reluctance to modify an instrument that has value in its current form and/or the potential to be collectable, and there’s more willingness to do so with general production line models. Without implying that G&L is focussed on collectability (although the recent proliferation of “limiteds” could easily be read as a shift in focus), it is often the case with smaller producers that a larger proportion of their output has an inate value in its original form and potential for collectability in comparison with the larger producers where the vast majority of their output doesn’t have that same potential.
And of course with the older G&L’s there’s also the Leo factor, which comes into play with both collectors and players. Its one thing to mod BBE … another thing entirely when it comes to tinkering with one of Leo’s creations.
I have no problems with moding guitars but I have never actually moded one I’ve bought, simply because I buy them if they work for me and don’t if they don’t. I can see though that I would be would be far more willing to mod a new guitar than I would one which someone has taken great care to maintain for 25+ years in its in original and mint condition. In that case I’d more than likely look for another that was less pristine to mod.
Do you care what people think of your guitar(s) when you play. For the most part no but, having said that, for some gigs I do extend the notion of “fit for purpose” to include appearance. I certainly wouldn’t use one of my well worn, naturally reliced guitars when playing a corporate event.
Cheers, Robbie
Re: Lunch Report Monday Aug 12, 2013
Mon Aug 12, 2013 11:51 pm
Salmon wrote:G&L question: You guys that buy, trade and sell G&Ls, do you have an idea how many trades or sales go to G&L fan/collector types or just one shot people interested in your guitar for sale that moment?
Usually when I'm selling I'm desperate to get rid of something to fund something else, so I'm not picky. Unless someone was a total jerk I have no problems..
Salmon wrote:Non-G&L question: Do you care what people think of your guitar(s) when you play whether in private or in public?
No. Nor do I care what other people use, even if it's a Gibson
Re: Lunch Report Monday Aug 12, 2013
Tue Aug 13, 2013 4:51 pm
I've only gotten rid of one G&L...I traded an ASAT Classic SH straight across for a Comanche. He was a tele guy and I'm a strat guy so we both came away happy. I was the G&L fan...he didn't like the Comanche, but he had several other teles.
As a rule I don't mod any of my guitars very much. I have one G&L with Duncan Antiguities and a couple have Schaller straplocks...and that's it. In my opinion, the Legacy-bodies I play are already modified vintage strats...with the RIGHT mods for my style. I really don't need to change a thing.
I have modded several of my Gibsons, but nothing irreversible.
I play guitars that work for me, and I have the experience after a 45 year career to know what I like. Actually, I think Fender players are much more status conscious than G&L guys...much more concerned that their guitar say " Fender" than whether it's a good guitar. Gibson guys can be like that too...don't hold it against me that I own 14 Gibson guitars....LOL!
I suppose there is something to be said for status labels...I love pulling a guitar out of the case at a jam or a gig that gets the other players drooling. When I take one of my Mesa amps and a Comanche, or one of my Les Paul Historics to a jam, it does tend to establish my bona fides...even if I do still struggle with that barre b-flat chord. LOL!!!
But I really don't care what they think...like Darwin, I own and play them for my own satisfaction.
Bill
As a rule I don't mod any of my guitars very much. I have one G&L with Duncan Antiguities and a couple have Schaller straplocks...and that's it. In my opinion, the Legacy-bodies I play are already modified vintage strats...with the RIGHT mods for my style. I really don't need to change a thing.
I have modded several of my Gibsons, but nothing irreversible.
I play guitars that work for me, and I have the experience after a 45 year career to know what I like. Actually, I think Fender players are much more status conscious than G&L guys...much more concerned that their guitar say " Fender" than whether it's a good guitar. Gibson guys can be like that too...don't hold it against me that I own 14 Gibson guitars....LOL!
I suppose there is something to be said for status labels...I love pulling a guitar out of the case at a jam or a gig that gets the other players drooling. When I take one of my Mesa amps and a Comanche, or one of my Les Paul Historics to a jam, it does tend to establish my bona fides...even if I do still struggle with that barre b-flat chord. LOL!!!
But I really don't care what they think...like Darwin, I own and play them for my own satisfaction.
Bill